The Helen Reef ecosystem (Hotsarihie) is a major resource for the Hatohobei people of Palau due to its abundant marine life, particularly its giant clams, trochus, sea cucumbers, turtles, seabirds, and large reef fishes. This large atoll (162sq km) is also internationally renowned because of its unique geographic location in the Western Pacific, its high number of species, and its relatively pristine condition. The reef system is isolated from the rest of Palau, and is closer to other countries (e.g., Indonesia 160 kms) than it is to the capital, Koror (600 kms). Therefore, its nearshore resources are difficult to protect or manage and are especially vulnerable to poaching from foreign fishing incursions.

The Hatohobeian people are, and have been for many years, concerned with the loss and degradation of the valuable marine resources at Helen Reef. Therefore, the State has developed a program to enhance management at this remote site. Part of this program involves the initiation of resource monitoring. In working with various partners, the State assembled a team of coral reef monitoring experts and local residents from April 24 to May 5, 2000 to:

The team conducted baseline surveys of key resources and the general health of Helen Reef at permanent study sites. These sites can be assessed by the State in the future with the assistance of skilled personnel to examine possible changes over time. The baseline monitoring surveys were standardized by counting reef organisms during timed swims or within measured areas at a number of known sites. Survey areas were additionally documented with digital video.

Giant Clams (kim)

Given the long history of poaching at Helen Reef, the monitoring team was pleasantly surprised to find relatively high numbers of some target species of giant clams - Tridacna derasa; Tridacna hippopus (pasung); and Tridacna maxima/squamosa. Unfortunately, we found very few of the largest and most targeted clam species, Tridacna gigas (hie). The smallest species, Tridacna crocea (haputsuhur), which is not generally harvested, was common at all sites surveyed.

Trochus (semum) and Sea Cucumbers (periper)

Trochus species have been seriously depleted at all sites surveyed, including historical trochus harvesting grounds. Only a few individuals were found during many hours of searching by both members of the Hatohobeian community and scientists. Large species of sea cucumbers of commercial value were present, but in low numbers.

Sharks (pahow), groupers (harie) and Napoleon wrasse (mam) were present only in relatively low numbers, which is unusual for an isolated atoll in the Western Pacific. In contrast, humphead parrotfish (mapirai) were relatively common. All of these species are highly vulnerable to rapid depletion through overfishing. Populations of herbivorous fishes, especially parrotfish and surgeonfish (buraharai), and some carnivores (e.g., snappers) were large.

Sea Turtles (Wor)

Green sea turtles are still using Helen Island as a nesting site. We saw evidence of 15 turtles nesting over a 10-day period. About two or three sea turtles, both green and hawksbill, were seen on almost every one-hour dive.

General Coral Reef Health (Hots)

There were some obvious effects of the 1997/98 coral-bleaching event, first reported in the August 1999 reconnaissance survey. Most of the large staghorn, table and soft corals died in this event. Many of the large, slow growing massive corals survived. The reefs are recovering at a rapid rate, especially on the western outside reef slopes where we saw large numbers of small, fast-growing-staghorn and table corals. We saw fewer species of fish than were seen in the 1992 survey, possibly because the death of corals during the bleaching event led to a decrease in available food and shelter.

A community-based monitoring program was developed and implemented with the assistance of Hatohobeian expedition members to monitor resources of principle concern to the Hatohobei community: giant clams, trochus, sea cucumbers, turtles and large fishes. This program will assist the community in keeping track of their marine resources over time in a standardized way during periods between intensive scientific surveys.

A team from the Palau Bureau of Lands and Surveys conducted surveying and mapping of permanent monitoring sites and other locations of interest to the community. Through a joint-project organized among the Bureau, State, and community, this information will become the foundation of a marine-focused GIS to assist resource management and monitoring at Helen Reef. Results of this work is expected to be available to the community, reef managers, and scientists as computerized maps and data files in the near future.

The expedition team has the following general suggestions for the Hatohobei State Government:

That the State continue its work with the Hatohobei community and partners to develop and implement an effective management strategy that will reduce poaching and that will ensure the sustainable use of Helen Reef by the people of Hatohobei and other authorized users. This will be necessary for the improvement of key resources of importance to the State and community. The success of any management or protection plan will depend largely on the effectiveness of enforcement.

ii) That scientific monitoring of Helen Reef be repeated every 3-5 years based on the survey design used during this expedition. Community monitoring activities should be conducted when ever feasible and at least on an annual basis, with the possible assistance of Palau reef management organizations and agencies.

More specific suggestions and detailed documentation for future monitoring and management at Helen Reef will accompany the Expedition’s final report to be submitted to the Hatohobei State Government in the next 45 days.